Wall Street executive sworn in to replace Gov. Christie
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A former Wall Street executive and Obama administration diplomat was sworn in as New Jersey's governor Tuesday, replacing Republican Gov. Chris Christie and returning full control of state government to Democrats.
Phil Murphy's wife, Tammy, and their four children joined him on stage as he was sworn in by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, taking the oath on the same Bible that John F. Kennedy used when he was sworn in as president. Murphy, like Kennedy, grew up in Massachusetts.
Murphy, 60, succeeds Christie after two terms and promises to take a much different approach toward President Donald Trump's policies. While Christie was a friend and ally, Murphy promises to be an antagonist.
Murphy built his campaign - his first run for elected office- around undoing the Trump administration's efforts on health care, immigration and taxes.
Hinting at Trump's reported vulgar comments last week about immigration, Murphy in his inaugural address called the country a "beacon of light" for immigrants including those from Haiti and Africa.
After the swearing in, a salute of cannons went off outside of the ceremony at the grand War Memorial in Trenton and Murphy went down a line of officials shaking hands.
He hugged Christie and then, in his inauguration speech, praised his work addressing the opioid crisis and his role as a father. He thanked him for over two decades of public service to the state. Christie served as the U.S. attorney in New Jersey before he ran for governor.
The new governor earned his fortune, which he used to help win the Democratic nomination last year, as an executive at Goldman Sachs. The last Democratic governor, Jon Corzine, who Christie ousted in 2009, was also an executive at Goldman Sachs.
Murphy also served several years under the Obama administration as ambassador to Germany.
He takes over from a larger-than-life governor who oversaw the state as its economy rebounded but who also saw his popularity plunge after a failed presidential run and the George Washington Bridge lane-closure scandal.
He said in his inaugural address that his vision for a "stronger and fairer" New Jersey includes criminal justice reform and marijuana legalization. He also promises to raise taxes on millionaires, allies himself with unions and says he will increase payments into the state pension system and school aid.
Murphy inherits a state with growing pension obligations and nearly perennial budget woes. He's said he would bring in new leadership at New Jersey Transit, the state's beleaguered commuter rail and bus agency, and has said the state faces a "fiscal crisis."
Murphy's running mate, former Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, was sworn in as lieutenant governor. An inaugural ball Tuesday night was to be held under a tent at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.